May 2012
The Works of Richard Sibbes, Vol. 7 / Richard Sibbes
A New Testament Biblical Theology / G.K. Beale
Inferno: The World at War, 1939-1945 / Max Hastings
The Presidents Club / Gibbs and Duffy
The Westing Game / Ellen Raskin
Les Misérables / Victor Hugo
Heartstone / C.J. Sansom
Shroud For A Nightingale / P.D. James
Book Log 2012
- What is a Healthy Church? / Mark Dever / Outstanding
- The Bruised Reed and Smoking Flax / Richard Sibbes / Wonderful
- The Art of Winning / Ben Cohen / Fun
- How to Master the English Bible / James Martin Gray / Helpful
- Elders in Congregational Life / Phil Newton / Helpful
- A Display of God’s Glory / Mark Dever / Quite good
- What I Learned in Narnia / Douglas Wilson / Jovial
- What is a Healthy Church Member? / Thabiti Anyabwile / Quite good
- The Deliberate Church / Dever and Alexander / Quite helpful
- Christianity Explored / Tice and Cooper / Okay
- Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God / J.I. Packer / Classic
- The Gospel and Personal Evangelism / Mark Dever / Encouraging
- The Tangible Kingdom / Halter and Smay / Frangible
- Engaging With God / David Peterson / Thorough
- The Hobbit / J.R.R. Tolkien / Wonderful
- Believer’s Baptism / Ed. Thomas Schreiner / Quite good
- Infant Baptism and the Covenant of Grace / Paul Jewett / Helpful
- Baptism: Three Views / Ed. David Wright / Good
- The Voyage of the Dawn Treader / C.S. Lewis / Golden
- Nine Marks of A Healthy Church / Mark Dever / Quite good
- Health, Wealth, and Happiness / Jones and Woodbridge / Good
- The Cross Centered Life / C.J. Mahaney / Outstanding
- Train Dreams / Denis Johnson / Forlorn
- The Silver Chair / C.S. Lewis / Lunar
- Instruction in Faith / John Calvin / Outstanding
- The Precious Promises of the Gospel / Joseph Alleine / Excellent
- An Introduction to Ecclesiology / Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen / Ecumenical
- A Mind to Murder / P.D. James / Short and sweet
- The Church and the Surprising Offense of God’s Love / Jonathan Leeman / Quite good
- The Trellis and the Vine / Marshall and Payne / Excellent
- The Christian Ministry / Charles Bridges / Wonderful
- Poems / C.S. Lewis / Reasonably imaginative
- What is the Mission of the Church? / DeYoung and Gilbert / Superb
- The Reformation of the Church / Ed. Iain Murray / Helpful
- Polity / Ed. Mark Dever / Quite helpful
- Wordsmithy / Douglas Wilson / Wonderfully wise
- Prayers on the Psalms (Pocket Puritans) / Ed. Calhoun / Booked up
- The Book of Pastoral Rule / Gregory the Great / Okay
- Generous Justice / Tim Keller / Superb
- The Priest With Dirty Clothes / R.C. Sproul / Quite good
- Church Membership / Jonathan Leeman / Lucid brevity
- Church Discipline / Jonathan Leeman / Lucid brevity
- Evangelicalism Divided / Iain Murray / Prophetic
- The Church / Mark Dever / Excellent
nice!
Great reading list. I wish I could be disciplined enough to read like that.
looks like you have been busy.
Have you ever read Thomas Sowell? Not a Christian author but I note you intermingle your reading with non-Christian works, and Sowell is one of the best on contemporary culture issues. One of his ‘must-reads’ is “Black Rednecks – White Liberals”.
Dear Michael,
Yes, I’ve read a couple of Thomas Sowell’s books. I really enjoyed “A Conflict of Visions.” I’ll keep an eye out for the book you mentioned. Sounds interesting.
Blessings to you,
–Nick
read “the god delusion” it may open your minds
Hi Pedro,
You’re right about The God Delusion, after reading it, I am more convinced than ever that Jesus Christ is the (only) Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Great list! I’m adding a few from your list to my own. We live abroad and it’s a bit difficult to find or get good books. Sigh.
What do you mean by, “Drizzlingly drenched”–the words are fun to say and great as a description–I’m just curious about what you mean. Thanks.
Hello Kim,
The description “drizzlingly drenched” pays tribute to a book I read in 2008 by Michael Ward entitled “Planet Narnia.” Ward makes a brilliant and convincing case that C.S. Lewis constructed the Chronicles of Narnia series out of the imagery of the seven heavens that was so integral to the Medieval worldview. You can read more about Ward’s book here: http://www.planetnarnia.com/frequently-asked-questions .
Ward argues The Silver Chair embodies and expresses the qualities associated with Luna, that is, the Moon. Because of the Moon’s effect upon the tides of seas and rivers, Luna became linked with the idea of wateriness. After rereading The Silver Chair, I think Ward is right. That’s why I used the phrase “drizzlingly drenched.”
If you can’t get a copy of his book (http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Narnia-Seven-Heavens-Imagination/dp/019973870X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1286372564&sr=8-1), I’d recommend listening to this lecture (http://sptc.htb.org.uk/files/sptc/michael-ward.mp3).
This is probably way more than you wanted but I do hope this helps!
–Nick
Hello!!!!
I was just wondering why you thought the book “Tribes” was heretical. Not that I read it or anything and thus disagree with you, but because I had the opportunity to buy it in a Christian conference sort-of-thing. Would you care to briefly explain why this book was so heretical to you? (I know I could just read the book myself to see why…) LOL
thanks
Hi Paul,
I was using the adjective “heretical” in the same way Godin uses it in his book. He uses “heretic” in the sense of anyone who does not conform to an established attitude, doctrine, or principle. These kind of “heretics,” according to Godin, create movements in the business world.
He states: “By challenging the status quo, a cadre of heretics is discovering that one person, just one, can make a huge difference… Heretics are the new leaders. The ones who challenge the status quo, who get out in front of their tribes, who create movements.” (11-12).
Hope this helps…
–Nick
Hey Nick,
Great idea….so, I stole it. :) Hope you don’t mind. http://huiothesian.wordpress.com/book-list/
- Matt
Hello Nick, i just found your blog while searching for a quote, and i already added it to my bookmarks :D, great blog. Q. Have you read Francis Chan?
Hi Saul, thanks for the link! I read and enjoyed Crazy Love a few years ago but I have not read any of Chan’s latest stuff. Would you recommend it?
–Nick
Well, i don’t now about Erasing Hell, but Forgotten God is great, also i really recommend Tolstoi’s short story Father Sergius, and The Kingdom of God Is Within You. I really like Tolstoi and Dostoevsky. :D
-Saul
I would like to clarify, “The kingdom of God is within you” is a great read even though, this book does not explores the concept of grace and redemption through Christ. I believe Tolstoi rejects some Christian tenets like the resurrection, miracles, the virgin birth, etc.. It is more about pacifism and social justice .
-Saul
Nick,
Love the blog, love the quotes and your passion for God’s glory and reading to that end. Thank you!
Would you mind explaining how you go about reading a book? I know that sounds simple, but I’d like to read and would like to be better at it (more comprehension, faster, remembering details longer, etc.). Any help in this direction would be greatly appreciated!
Best regards,
Chris
Hi Chris,
Thanks for reading the blog! I just shot you an email with a few thoughts.
Grace and peace,
–nr
Nick,
Could you send me a similar email? I too have been curious about how you manage to read so much each year and would like to learn what I can from you. By the way, I’m constantly blessed by your blog and it has been quite a handy resource for looking up quotes and whatnot. Thanks man.
-Zach
I would also like an email with the aforementioned “few thoughts.” I need help in this area! thanks Man! I hope you and the family are doing well.